Shining Just For You Episode 13 Recap
> Shining Just For You Recap
After Ye Lingshuang attempted to find a Truth Master and encountered a giant python beneath Mianshi Bridge, Yu Xiuming appeared, expressing his profound fear for her safety. He angrily questioned her actions, calling her foolish for risking her life for such a trivial matter, unaware that his protective outburst was observed by his dark guards, freezing the atmosphere around them. He then immediately ordered an imperial physician to examine her for any injuries.
Later, Ye Lingshuang confronted Yun Wen, questioning if she had known all along that the entity sealed beneath Mianshi Bridge was not a real Truth Master. Yun Wen confirmed that the python was named Feiguang and, while not a Truth Master itself, it guarded a magic array of vital importance to the Truth Master. Realizing that Yu Xiuming must have seen through her earlier lie about knowing the Truth Master, Ye Lingshuang worried about the consequences.
Yun Wen reassured her that Yu Xiuming likely wouldn't take her life and suggested she take advantage of the upcoming Emperor's Natal Day, a public celebration, to try and appease him. Meanwhile, Xue Xuanjing, the Protectorate General of Ningzhou, visited Yi Wuyou, also known as the Fourth Prince Yu Linkong, at the Moon Tower. Xue Xuanjing began by reminding Yi Wuyou of the Winged Emperor's past kindness towards him.
Yi Wuyou, however, was cold and dismissive, still harboring resentment for the Winged Clan's downfall, which he attributed to Xue Xuanjing. He asserted that his former identity, Yu Linkong, was gone, and he was merely a businessman with no ties to Ningzhou. Xue Xuanjing tried to explain that his past actions were unavoidable, emphasizing the human emperor Yu Xiuming's military might and the Winged Clan's reluctance to fight to the death.
He then proposed that Yi Wuyou return to Ningzhou to help rebuild the Winged Clan. Yi Wuyou firmly rejected the offer, stating he would never return. Following this, Xue Xuanjing's daughter, Tang Yuan, met with him. She believed Yi Wuyou's unwavering pride as a royal was precisely what made him a valuable asset.
Tang Yuan revealed her plan to push Yi Wuyou to become a puppet king under Xue Xuanjing's control, arguing that with an ancient marriage pact between the Xue and Winged families, she could marry Yi Wuyou, thereby gaining influence over the Winged people and overcoming their loyalty to the former imperial line. Xue Xuanjing praised her intelligence, lamenting his sons' lack of foresight.
On the day of the public celebration for the Emperor's Natal Day, which was widely observed outside the palace, Yu Xiuming's Guangyang Palace remained strangely quiet. Ye Lingshuang, ostensibly to report official matters, entered the palace, having been allowed entry by Yu Xiuming who was aware of her presence. She noted his sullen mood and the lack of celebration, prompting her to ask if it was indeed his birthday.
Yu Xiuming revealed that the public celebration was merely a ruse orchestrated by Jie Haitian to conceal his true birth date and prevent divination of his star-reading. He found no joy in a fake celebration. Seeing his indifference, Ye Lingshuang boldly suggested he put aside his imperial duties for the day and join her outside to enjoy the lantern festival. Yu Xiuming agreed, and they ventured out, relishing the festive atmosphere.
As they enjoyed street food and fireworks, Yu Xiuming shared insights into his past, noting he grew up in Weidi, not the sheltered palace life one might imagine. He explained his unusual leniency towards the powerful Fan family, revealing that they were his only remaining blood relatives and that the Old Madam had raised him. However, he lamented their insatiable greed. During a fireworks display, as Ye Lingshuang watched with delight, Yu Xiuming leaned in close, almost kissing her.
Startled, she abruptly returned to the palace. At the palace gate, Yu Xiuming tried to prompt her thoughts on the moment, but Ye Lingshuang evaded the question, retreating to her room where she reflected on their interactions, her heart racing as she realized her feelings for him had begun to change.
Back in the imperial court, Fan Ruhui, unaware of Yu Xiuming's true intentions, pushed for Zuo Jintian's appointment as Protectorate General of Yuezhou, citing Zuo Jintian's extensive experience and loyalty. Yu Xiuming, however, merely humored him, teasingly asking if Fan Ruhui was nominating himself. Fan Ruhui's proposal was rooted in a larger scheme; he had already arranged for his son, Fan Ping, to meet Zuo Jintian's daughter, Zuo Shengnan, intending to solidify their political alliance through marriage.
However, Fan Ping harbored no affection for Zuo Shengnan, having fallen for Tang Yuan. At a celebratory banquet, Zuo Jintian, confident in his imminent appointment due to Fan Ruhui's assurances, openly celebrated, ignoring Fan Ping's discreet warnings to keep the news quiet before the official edict. Ye Lingshuang, overhearing discussions about Zuo Jintian's expected appointment, later approached Yu Xiuming. She observed his foul mood and pointed out his habit of carving when distressed, noting his current carvings were particularly "ugly."
Yu Xiuming showed her a carving, explaining it represented "a wolf in sheep's clothing," a common sight in his court. Ye Lingshuang quickly grasped the metaphor, suggesting that Fan Ruhui's schemes were transparent to him. She questioned why, if he had doubts, he would still appoint Zuo Jintian. She likened the alliance between Fan Ruhui and Zuo Jintian to "partners in crime" and advised that if one of them lost their "claws," the other would be rendered powerless.
This conversation sparked a "brilliant idea" in Yu Xiuming. Before Ye Lingshuang departed, he unexpectedly appointed her as the Supervisor of the Bureau of Astrology, presenting her with a flower as a reward. After she left, Yu Xiuming internally confirmed his plan, realizing that by removing one of the "partners," Fan Ruhui's control over both civil and military power would be broken.
He then swiftly issued an imperial edict appointing Jie Zhuying, not Zuo Jintian, as the Protectorate General of Yuezhou, instructing Ling Yun to deliver it with utmost speed to Xiayang. Upon learning of Jie Zhuying's appointment, Fan Ruhui was enraged, feeling betrayed by Yu Xiuming. Fearing Zuo Jintian's wrath, he immediately concocted a plan to deflect blame onto Ye Lingshuang.
He instructed Fan Ping to have Zuo Shengnan write a letter to her father, falsely claiming that Ye Lingshuang, whom the Emperor had recently favored, had poisoned Yu Xiuming's mind, leading to the change in appointment. The letter urged Zuo Jintian to eliminate Ye Lingshuang. Meanwhile, Zuo Shengnan diligently attempted to please her husband, Fan Ping, but he remained cold and distant, showing no interest in her efforts.
After receiving the letter she wrote, Fan Ping quickly departed, leaving her alone. Upon receiving the news, Zuo Jintian was furious. Contemptuous of Jie Zhuying, whom he considered an inexperienced "brat," he immediately ordered 30,000 elite troops to set up an ambush outside Xiayang City, intending to kill Jie Zhuying and the Night North people he was leading in migration.
Jie Zhuying, leading the migration towards Yuezhou, was soon met with a severely injured soldier who reported that Zuo Jintian's forces had killed their comrades. Realizing the grave danger, Jie Zhuying summoned Qi Hailian. He explained that Zuo Jintian, as the Military Commissioner of Xiayang, had authority over the region south of Xiayang and had wrongly assumed he would be appointed Protectorate General of Yuezhou.
Now, enraged by Jie Zhuying's actual appointment, Zuo Jintian had sealed off Xiayang and deployed 30,000 elite soldiers to ambush them. Jie Zhuying concluded that the only viable path to Yuezhou was through the treacherous Night Marsh, a route outside Zuo Jintian's control.
